Visit 72 Colleges and Universities at the Great Hearts College Fair

High school freshman, sophomores, and juniors who are current students at Great Hearts academies, along with their parents, are invited to meet with, and learn more about 72 colleges and universities at the Great Hearts College Fair hosted at Scottsdale Prep on Saturday, February 28th from 4:00-6:00 pm.

Schedule of Events
3:15 – 3:45 Personal Statement Presentation (optional)
4:00 – 4:30 Parent Presentation #1 Hosted by ASU – Admission and Financial Aid
4:10 – 4:30 College Presentations– Round #1
4:30 – 5:00 Parent Presentation #2 Hosted by UATX – The Cloister and the Starship: Radical Tradition and the University of the Future
4:40 – 5:00 College Presentations– Round #2
5:00 – 6:00 College Fair— Connect & Ask Questions

This event is FREE and registration is required in advance: https://app.strivescan.com/registration

“The Great Hearts College Symposium is an opportunity for parents and students to come and interact with colleges from across the country,” said Great Hearts Director of College Counseling, Roslyn Fletcher. “It’s a great event for exposure for students to see what’s out there. In addition to our fabulous in state schools, there are some really fantastic out-of-state options for students to consider as well. [We have a] variety of types of colleges. We have some tech schools, we have private liberal arts colleges, we have state schools – pretty much anything that you would want as a sampling at the Great Hearts College Symposium.”

Watch the 2024 Great Hearts College Fair:

Unlike conventional college fairs typically held in expansive gymnasiums or halls, this symposium presents a unique setup. With colleges stationed throughout the campus in classrooms, students are able to enjoy more intimate interactions with representatives. They are able to freely choose which sessions to attend, listening to mini presentations and seeking guidance. Meanwhile, parents will have the option to attend specialized presentations about admissions, financial aid, and more.

Later in the programing, students will have the opportunity to visit college booths and engage in personal discussions, posing additional questions to representatives and recruiters. “This is about exposure,” said Fletcher. “Learning, gaining knowledge, learning about the options, and being able to have face to face interaction with colleges.” There is great value in getting one-on-one face-time with prospective schools, and our students wasted no time in taking advantage of every opportunity.

The benefits of this event are more than just meeting with colleges and collecting swag. “In addition to soaking up the information that colleges can present to them about their institution, they learn about the general college admissions process,” said Fletcher. “What are colleges looking for in an applicant? What information is important to them? What can students do between now and when they graduate to really put their best foot forward in terms of a college application? This is a great event for students to learn about different colleges and be exposed to what’s available to them. It’s a two-hour commitment on a Saturday, which can be tough, but I think it’s well worth the investment.”

Many of the college representatives mention the confidence the students exude when speaking to them and their ability to articulate their questions. This confidence and focus in our students is a direct reflection on the amazing college counselors at Great Hearts. These dedicated professionals at each academy have provided our scholars with great one-on-one support and have really taken the time to get to know the students and their future goals. The support through phone calls, emails, and information nights have helped parents prepare for the upcoming college years. Everything from what real-life costs to expect, to reminders of upcoming deadlines, and keeping families on track have facilitated a smooth transition from high school to higher education.

With the college counseling program and events like this one, the high level of college preparedness a high school scholar receives at Great Hearts is truly a hidden gem, empowering students to navigate the path towards higher education with confidence and purpose.

Do you have a story or know of one that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.

Submit a student application to a Great Hearts Academy by visiting: https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/enroll/.